Will he ever love me?

I've been a 'bit on the side' to this guy for years. He has long-term relationships and I'm stuck in a cycle of seeing him for sex, then being hurt. He manipulates me by saying we might get together in the end. If he knows I'm planning to go out, he makes me cancel my plans and be with him, even though I know in the morning I'll feel like an idiot. I tell him I'm hurt and want him to love me but I get no response and no respect. What can I do?

He manipulates you because you let him. So tell the sadistic joker to get lost! It won't be easy to escape your attraction to this humiliation, but you know it's the long-term answer. Focus on work and friendships, and build reasons to respect yourself.

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